English

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Etymology

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From Middle English momelen, a frequentative of mum (sense 3) (silent).[1] Compare German mümmeln, Middle Dutch mommelen and Dutch mompelen.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈmʌmbəl/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ʌmbəl

Verb

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mumble (third-person singular simple present mumbles, present participle mumbling, simple past and past participle mumbled)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.
    Please try not to mumble so I can hear you better.
  2. To chew something gently with closed lips.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Noun

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mumble (plural mumbles)

  1. A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.
    All I could hear was a mumble from the next room.
    He spoke in a barely comprehensible mumble.

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

Anagrams

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  NODES
Note 1